غابة مطيرة
ghāba maṭīra
The English word 'rainforest' is translated into Arabic as غابة مطيرة (ghāba maṭīra).
Meaning: type of forest (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun غابة (forest) and the adjective مطيرة (rainy/raining).
How does it change in a sentence?
غابة مطيرة is a feminine noun phrase, meaning any accompanying adjectives or verbs must also be in the feminine form. To say 'rainforests' in the plural, use غابات مطيرة. In this case, the noun is pluralized while the adjective remains in the singular feminine form to agree with the non-human plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
ghāba maṭīra
Did you know?
- In the Arab world, the term غابة can also be used in an idiomatic sense to describe 'the law of the jungle', referring to a place or situation where the strong dominate the weak.
- The word غابة (forest) shares its triliteral root with words related to 'depth' or 'concealment', reflecting the ancient perception of forests as places that hide things from view.
- The adjective مطيرة used in this phrase is derived from a root that implies 'bringing or sending down', which gives the word a more active sense of 'pouring down' than just 'being rainy'.
Examples in context
- هذه غابة مطيرة واسعة.hādhihi ghābatu maṭīratun wāsi'ah.This is a vast rainforest.
- أريد زيارة غابة مطيرة في البرازيل.urīdu ziyārata ghābatin maṭīratin fī al-barazīl.I want to visit a rainforest in Brazil.
- توجد حيوانات نادرة في غابة مطيرة.tūjadu ḥayawānāt nādiratun fī ghābatin maṭīratin.Rare animals exist in a rainforest.
Example conversation
Omar and Nour are talking about a documentary.
- عمر Omarهل شاهدتِ الفيلم عن الغابة المطيرة؟Hal shahadti al-film 'an al-ghaba al-matira?Did you watch the movie about the rainforest?
- نور Nourنعم يا عمر، كان الفيلم رائعاً.Na'am ya Omar, kana al-film ra'i'an.Yes Omar, the movie was wonderful.
- عمر Omarأريد زيارة غابة مطيرة في المستقبل.Urīdu ziyarat ghaba matira fi al-mustaqbal.I want to visit a rainforest in the future.
- نور Nourأنا أيضاً، سأذهب معكِ يا نور.Ana aydan, sa-adhhabu ma'aki ya Nour.Me too, I will go with you, Nour.
